C Glossary - Epson Equity I User Manual

ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A standard
way of assigning numerical codes to characters and control codes. The
character set on the Equity is based on the US ASCII code system, with
the addition of a large number of international and graphics characters.
Backup copy
A copy of a disk or file kept in case your working copy is damaged.
Baud rate
The number of signal/data bits that can be transmitted per second
during serial communications: it should be the same for the two commu-
nicating devices.
Bit
All computer information-whether words, figures or program
instructions-is stored as sets of numbers. Each individual number is
recorded in binary form, as either one or zero. A bit, short for binary
digit, is one of these numbers.
Booting
The process of loading the computer's operating system.
Byte
A group of eight bits, which operate as a unit. A byte usually corres-
ponds to one character of text, but may also be part of a computer word
(a larger number). The size of the computer's memory, and the capacity
of a disk, are normally expressed in kilobytes. One kilobyte contains
bytes.
1024
Character
Any letter, number or symbol on the keyboard.
Chip
An integrated circuit, combining the functions of a large number of
individual components.
Configuring
Preparing a piece of equipment or a program so that it suits your
way of working and the other equipment you are using.
Appendix C
Glossary
C-l